Friday, December 30, 2011

Take Advantage of After Holiday Sales

If you are planning to use red, green, gold, silver or even blue as your wedding colors or maybe your planning for a holiday wedding next year or even just a winter wedding you may want to check out the after Christmas sales.  You can find great deals on gift bags, ribbon, tissue paper and many other items that can be used as welcome gift bags, favor wrapping, or possible wedding favors.  Also if you're planning an outdoor wedding and want to incorporate some Christmas lights now is the time to stock up on those too.

If you're thinking pink or red or hearts...shop after Valentines Day!  Lots of great deals to be had.

Maybe you're using orange, brown or black in your wedding or you're incorporating fall items into your wedding and the various pumpkin items or gourds would fit in perfectly with your theme, then the after Halloween sale might be of interest to you.

So think about how you can put the after holiday sales to work for you and your wedding and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

Save the Dates

I love this idea and it can work for any wedding, but is especially fitting for weddings where a lot of guests would need to travel.  Are you ready....Save the Date Luggage Tags!!!!

This save the date can be done inexpensively or it can be more costly depending on the route you decide to go.  You can create one time use tags that have your save the date information on one side and the guests information on the other side (you could get them laminated too if can afford the additional cost).  A middle cost version of this would be to purchase plastic luggage tags they usually come in clear or colored and then print (or order) your save the date information as well as the guests information or if you need to save time just include a blank paper for the guest to fill out with their information (two separate pieces of paper) and slide them into the luggage tags.  The most expensive versions would be to order customized luggage tags with your save the date information or doing the same thing as the middle cost version but purchasing leather luggage tags.

Happy wedding travels!!!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Bridesmaids or Groomsmen Gifts

A few years ago I was in a friend's wedding.  She gave us each a digital picture frame.  She took the time and went through not only her digital photos, but also collected photos from various social media websites and personalized each frame with pictures of us over the years we've known each other.  It was not your typical gift, which I loved.  I really appreciate the time and effort she put into personalizing this gift for me, it was extremely thoughtful and special!  I still use it today and have added pictures to it over the years. 

Keep in mind this gift will require time and effort on your part, but that is what will make this gift extra special to those you give it to.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Bridemaid Gifts

Another gift I gave my bridesmaids were vases. I chose vases that were engraved with their first initial, but basically you pick a vase that is the perfect size to hold their bouquets.  I actually purchased a vase for myself and the moms (basically anyone that was given a bouquet.  I then had the vases set at their tables for the reception with water in them so my bridesmaids had somewhere to put their bouquets and the flowers added color to the tables.

Friendship Vase

(photo from weddingdaywonderland.com)

Place Cards

Place cards that would work for several different kinds of weddings that are just a bit more decorative than a paper place card by itself.  You can print your own place cards on your home computer or bring it to a printing store or even have them hand done with your guests names and table designation (whether you number your tables or name your tables).  The next material you will need are wine corks you can purchase them or even ask friends and family to save them for you.  You will then cut one side so that the cork sits level and flat on a table and doesn't roll away.  Then you will cut a slit along the top to put the place card in.

Wine Cork Place Card Holders (NEW CORKS)- Set of 50
(as seen on LGB Studios)

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Chocolate Wedding Treats

Whether you're looking for Engagement Party Favors, Shower Favors, Wedding Welcome Bag treats or Wedding Favors...this idea is can work for any of these events.

I have to give credit to my mom for this idea.  Let me explain.

You buy several bags of Hershey Nugget candies (number of bags will vary based on number of guests and how many you want to give each guest) and bought labels.  Then she selected several pictures of me and my husband and printed  them on labels.  She then spent several hours wrapping each candy.  Once that was complete she wrapped them in mesh and tied them with ribbon and a wedding charm.

This can be very time consuming, but if you got a group of people together it wouldn't take too long and you work on them in advance so you're not stressed with time.  Another idea is you can take the images to a printing facility have them print the labels for you.

Now as far as ways to customize these candies to fit your event:

Engagement Party - You can use engagement photos or photos from while they were dating and tie a tag onto them that says something along the lines of "We look forward to seeing you (insert wedding date here)" or you can use word art on the labels and insert "Congratulations (Insert Names Here)"

Bridal Shower - Again you can use engagement photos or photos of the couple from while they were dating and customize the label itself with word art or if there is a color theme for the shower that can be incorporated with the background on the label or ribbon.  Another idea is if you are doing a lingerie  party maybe use fish net stocking type material to wrap the chocolates.

Welcome Bag/Wedding Favor - If you are going for a specific look for your wedding again colors can easily be incorporated with ribbon or background on labels.  Or if you are going for a rustic look maybe you print the labels in sepia.  Or for a vintage look print in black and white.  Or if the setting of your wedding is the focus maybe use photos just taken in that setting.  Or you can even take photos just for these candies and dress specifically for that theme.

So many ways you can make these candies work for you and your event :)

Friday, December 9, 2011

Vintage Wedding Transportation

If your budget has some flexibility you may want to look into renting a vintage car to transport the bride and groom or even just for the added element it could bring to your photos.  I picture the bride and groom leaving the reception in the vintage vehicle with the guests wishing them well lighting the way with sparklers.  Maybe my vision is a bit too fairytale like for you, but I think everyone would agree that having a vintage car at their wedding could add some really awesome photos!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Football Season Weddings

Many couples elect to do a morning after brunch or luncheon for their out of town guests.  My suggestion for the football lovers is to look into group rates for the football game and let your guests know so they can purchase tickets in your group block.  Then invite all of your guests to tailgate and make that your "brunch" or "luncheon".

Let the party continue

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Continuing with the 2 for 1

Cake Pops!!!!  They are delicious and would make a yummy favor as well as a colorful centerpiece.  You can order Cake Pop centerpieces that fit your color scheme and dress up the pops with ribbon and thank you tags for your guests to take on their way out. 

Or if you are on a tight budget you can make cake pops at home...there are various recipes online or they even sell cake pop machines at the stores...they are very easy to make.  Then just wrap them individually with cellophane bags and tie with your choice of ribbon to add color.  Finally you will chose a flower pot or pail and place a foam piece inside and arrange your pops.

Also you can chose to personalize these pails with your initials or names and the date of the wedding or placing a bow or ribbon that matches the ones you used with your cake pops.